Tskhenisdzudzu Abkhazuri
Tskhenisdzudzu – is a less distributed grapevine variety providing high quality table grape with dark pink berries.
Among local viticulturists and several items of viticulture literature, Tskhenisdzudzu is known also by the names Achkikiju, Achkirki, Aatskika and Achkiki (Kvaratskhelia, 13; Macharashvili, 14; Geevski and Shareri, 9 and others).
Tskhenisdzudzu is a local grapevine variety, standing close to the grapevine family of Abkhazia with its morphological and agricultural features. It is characterized by strong growth, a coating on the underside, insignificant lobes, well-developed leaves and late ripening. With these characteristics it is identified as a representative of the family of grapevine varieties of Kolkheti called Prol.pontica subprol. Georgica Negr. It has taken the name because the berry shape bears resemblance to the breast of a horse.
It should be noted that there are five distinct grapevine varieties known by the name Tskhenisdzudzu in Georgia, namely, Tskhenisdzudzu of Kakheti – characterized with three-lobed, lightly coated leaves, and white oval berries; Tskhenisdzudzu of Adjara – with three-lobed, thin web-like coated leaves, oval, rarely longish, black berries; Tskhenisdzudzu of Meskheti - white and red, both with bare leaves, oval or longish berries; and Tskhenisdzudzu of Abkhazia with three-lobed leaves covered with quite a thick web-like coating, and with dark pink oval berries.
Of the mentioned varieties, the name Tskhenisdzudzu is the most appropriate for Tskhenisdzudzu of Abkhazia, as it is characteristically much longer than oval berries.
However, the Tskhenisdzudzu of Abkhazia, despite its beauty and fine structure with large, dark pink longish berries, is not widely spread in Georgia- only a few of roots are cultivated, mostly in the viticulture districts of Abkhazia, particularly in Gudauta and Sokhumi.
This grapevine variety is also cultivated in collective and testing vineyards of the Institute of Viticulture and Enology (in Telavi) and in Abkhazia (in the village of Akhalsopeli), about 2000 vines.
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Botanical description
This grapevine variety was described in the village of Akhalsopeli (Gudauti district) in Abkhazia by the leadership of the Institute of Viticulture and Enology in Orjonikidze collective vineyard. This vineyard is cultivated on a comparatively plain, slightly inclined slope to the south-eastern side that is distanced by 2 km from the sea coast. The soil is sub-clay, with good water-conducting subsoil. Vines are 20 years old, formed by two-sided cordon, with a 3.5m2 feeding area (2.0 x 1.75m), the height of the vine posts is 45 - 50cm.
The young shoot
(10 - 15cm) The young growth shoot with its crown, first two leaf-bracts is covered with a thick felt-like coating and white-pinkish down on both sides. The coating disappears by the third leaf on the topside and takes on a yellowish green coloring, slightly reddish, while the underside maintains the same white coating. The fourth and fifth leaves are greenish-yellow on the topside and to the underside are covered with quite a thick web-like coating.
The leaf
Completely developed leaves of the middle row (9 - 12) are middle-sized (20 x 19cm) and roundish or kidney-shaped. The leaf is three-lobed, or sometimes un-lobed; the surface of the leaf is wrinkled, covered with small bubbles, and is wavy. The leaf is dark green.
Upper incisions are superficial, rarely deep, mostly they are not significantly lobed, and are often gap-shaped.
Lower incisions are not well-depicted, and are angular.
The incisions of the petiole are usually constant in shape, mostly lyre-like or roundish; rarely, incisions which are closed and oval can be found.
The major veins of the leaf end with sharp, swallowed triangular teeth. The lateral teeth are similar to the major teeth, mostly presented with arch-like teeth.
The underside leaves are covered with quite a thick web-like coating and thick standing down.
The petiole is shorter that the major vein, often its half, rarely – 2/3. The petiole is smooth, rarely covered with web-like spots, is wine-red colored, with green lines.
The flower
The flower is hermaphroditic, often consisting of 5 stamens, rarely 6. The proportional length of stamens to the pistil totals 1.5 - 2cm. The stamens are upright standing. The pistil is roundish-cylindrical and channeled. Its column is short, but welldepicted, ending with a roundish nose.
The bunch
The bunch of Tskhenisdzudzu is larger than middlesized, from 20 to 26cm long and 6 - 10cm wide, generally 22 x 8cm. The shape of a bunch is mostly cylindrical, rarely branched or cone-cylindrical, and of middle density or thin. The average weight of a bunch is 150 - 200g, sometimes 300 - 350g. The pedicel of the bunch is grass-like, from 3 to 6 cm long, with the average being 4 - 5cm. The pedicel of the berry is green, 0.8 - 1.0cm long and is narrow cone-shaped and wrinkled.
The grain
Grains are large, from 1.8 to 2.5 cm long and 1.6 – 2.0cm wide, the average – 2.0 x 1.8cm. The berry is mostly oval, rarely longish, and is reddish, while by the time of full ripening becomes pink. The skin of the berry is thick and dense. The flesh is less juicy; has a sweet and pleasant taste, with an original aroma.
The seed
There are one to two seeds or even 3-4 seeds in a grain, which are quite large, roundish-long and bright brown, while to the tip – orange. Seeds are unequal, mostly roundish-cylindrical, with short tips. The length of the seed is 0.6 - 0.75 cm and the width 0.4 - 0.45cm. The basis is oval, placed in the upper part of the seed. The channel splits the seed into two unequal parts and is orange-colored. The abdomen of the seed is bumpy. The tip is cylindrical- about 1.5 - 2.0mm long.
Agro-biological description
The vegetation period and course of phases
Phenological observation of the vegetation phases of Tskhenisdzudzu was undertaken in the collective vineyard of the village Akhalsopeli, in Abkhazia; from 1936 to 1938 by Vl. Tabidze and then by Al. Iobidze. According to their data, the vegetation of Tskhenisdzudzu in 1937 and the following years continued in this way (see Table 1).
As Table 1 indicates, the vegetation period of Tskhenisdzudzu totals 170 - 188 days and belongs to the group of grapevine varieties of the fourth period of ripening. In comparison with other varieties of Abkhazia, Tskhenisdzudzu is an early grapevine variety. According to Prof. T. Kvaratskhelia and Al. Iobidze, in Gudauti district, Tskhenisdzudzu fully ripens in the middle of October.
The ripening of sprouts
One year sprouts of Tskhenisdzudzu can freely reach full ripening by the time of grape ripening and face winter frosts quite readily. In addition to Abkhazia, Tskhenisdzudzu is also cultivated in Kakheti – in the collective vineyard of the Institute of Viticulture and Enology, where its sprouts become ripen at leaf-fall, but some years the grape and sprouts do not reach the full ripening period.
The strength of vine growth
Tskhenisdzudzu is a much stronger growing vine than other grapevine varieties of Abkhazia. Prof. T. Kvaratskhelia, K. Mahcavariani, Geevski and Shareri have not mentioned this issue, probably because of an indifference to this variety in this dimension.
The productivity
Tskhenisdzudzu is a very productive grapevine variety; in Abkhazia, in Akhalsopeli village, where the vines are heavily loaded, it gives 16kg of grape per vine. While its average productivity when loaded by leaving 38 - 40 buds totals 7.0 - 7.5kg per vine; that is 190 - 200 centners per hectare. Prof. T. Kvaratskhelia considers Tskhenisdzudzu as less-productive. The coefficient of productivity of Tskhenisdzudzu is 1.3 - 1.4, while the average weight of a bunch – 120 - 150g, in the case of leaving 40 sprouts on a vine the average productivity per vine is from 6.2 to 8.4kg: 168 - 220 centners per hectare.
In the past, the low productivity of Tskhenisdzudzu was determined by excessive flower fall, inconvenient forming and short pruning. As is known, over many centuries, Abkhazian grapevine varieties were accustomed and adapted to forming as high vineyards and to heavy loading. In such circumstances, they maintained high productivity and quality production. But for practical reasons new forms of pruning should be tried and optimal ways of loading in order to get higher productivity. From the observation in Akhalsopeli village and other viticulture districts, the form most suitable for Tskhenisdzudzu seems to be the old Georgian cordon (olinakhuri), while the modern fun-like or two-sided cordon can also be tried- taking into consideration the size of the feeding area, and by giving 2 - 4 pruning rings. Presently, the breaking of sprout’s tips is recommended in order to achieve the enlargement of berries and increase in its density.
Resistance to fungal diseases
Tskhenisdzudzu is characterized by average resistance to fungal diseases, stronger than that of other grapevine varieties of Abkhazia. As observed, it is more resistant to powdery mildew than to downy mildew. Generally, the berries of Tskhenisdzudzu are clear and round. Prof. T. Kvaratskhelia noted damage to Tskhenisdzudzu caused by downy mildew and atraknozi, without describing the character and severity of the impact. The negative influence over berries and leaves by pets has been not identified after long observation.
Agro-technical characteristics
By the appearance, mechanical structure of bunches and chemical structure of juice, Tskhenisdzudzu is dedicated to the dessert grape branch of viticulture and should be used for this function in industry.
Mechanical structure of the bunch
Descriptive data of the bunches of Tskhenisdzudzu, conducted by Vl. Tabidze, is presented below (see Table 2).
As Table 2 indicates, Tskhenisdzudzu is characterized by quite a good outcome of juice and therefore, can be used in wine industry.
Chemical structure of juice
Grape juice of Tskhenisdzudzu consists of quite a good level of sugar and acidity. In particular years, the sugar consistency comes to 19 - 21% while maintaining quite a high level of acidity. Below are presented the results of the chemical analysis carried out in Abkhazia and Telavi, in testing vineyards (see Table 3).
As Table 3 indicates, Tskhenisdzudzu is distinguished by good characteristics of sugar and acidity that give us reason to expect quite valuable and quality wine production. This characteristic of this grapevine variety is very useful because the grape can be used as much for consumption grape as for wine.
Use of grape and characterization of production
Tskhenisdzudzu presents a grapevine variety that can be used as a table grape. According to Prof. T. Kvaratskhelia, K. Machavariani and others, Tskhenisdzudzu is identified as a good table grape, while by Gevski, Shareri and Cherniavski, the Tskhenisdzudzu grape is mentioned as useful for beautiful, dark red wine. In the viticulture station of Abkhazia, experiments in this direction have not yet been conducted, but the consistency of sugar and acidity indicates the appropriateness of its use for wine. This should be tested in this direction more extensively. This grapevine variety well bears long distance transportation and stores well. Tskhenisdzudzu maintains production of quite a valuable grape.
General evaluation and distribution by district
Tskhenisdzudzu is a local, less-distributed grapevine variety. It can be found in Gudauti district cultivated as a few vines.
Tskhenisdzudzu is mostly used for table grape. It is characterized by quite long (20 - 26cm) cylindrical or branched thin bunches and large, oval or longish, dark pink-colored berries. Its bunches are beautiful, and berries - pleasant. Tskhenisdzudzu is well-adaptable to transportation and storage.
Among the positive characteristics can be considered its comparatively high productivity and quality, good resistance to fungal diseases and rot, its use for table grape and, if necessary, to wine- as it keeps an appropriate proportion of sugar and acidity.
Negative characteristics of Tskhenisdzudzu are its relatively high vulnerability to downy mildew and excessive flower-fall resulting in the generation of thin bunches. This weakness can easily be overcome by proper cultivation and good care.
This grapevine variety is prospective to supply different resorts and sanatoriums with table grape for a long time.
Tskhenisdzudzu is recommended for inclusion in the standard grapevine assortment of different districts such as Gagra, Gulrifshi, Gudauti and Sokhumi.
This grapevine variety is prospective also in major viticulture districts of Georgia to be distributed more extensively.
Bibliography
1. Ketskhoveli N., Zones of Cultural Plants in Georgia. Tbilisi, 1957.
2. Kvaratskhelia T. Vine Varities of Western Georgia, Kutaisi, 1936.
3. Cholokhashvili S., Guide Book for Viticulture. Book II, Amphelography. Tbilisi, 1938.
4. Javakhishvili Iv. Economic History of Georgia. Vol. II. Tbilisi, 1934.
5. Jorjadze L., Viticulture, Wine-making and Improvement. Tbilisi, 1876.
